"What makes Nathan stand out is that he has a real quickness with his read and react: his hockey sense, how he sees the ice and his vision," said Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting. "That is something special in a player. He is continuing to physically mature, but already he's got a lot of grit in his game and he is a competitive player."

Photos

Nathan MacKinnon, a center, pulls on a Colorado Avalanche sweater after being chosen 1st overall in the first round of the NHL hockey draft, Sunday, June 30, 2013, in Newark, N.J. (AP / Bill Kostroun)